CeSTII Internship Opportunities 2024
The Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Indicators (CeSTII) is a specialist research centre within the Human Sciences Research Council that is dedicated to producing policy relevant research and statistical analysis in the domain of science, technology and innovation.
CeSTII has a vision to be a thought and practice leader, as well as, an acknowledged site of excellence in its field and aims to consolidate its position as a value-adding component of South Africa’s national innovation system.
To this end, the leadership of CeSTII with the full support of the Executive team and Board of the HSRC, is embarking on a recruitment strategy that will build on the existing strong team and excellent reputation by expanding to include specialists in the area of science, technology and innovation policy as well as economic development and other social science disciplines.
The Centre is also placing more attention on project and programme management and strengthening its performance culture and will be recruiting persons with skills, training and experience in those areas.
3 year contract
CeSTII seeks to appoint two PhD Interns for a period of three years.
The Internship Programme in the HSRC is meant to provide the successful candidates with an opportunity to further develop their research expertise by working with subject experts and project specialists. The internship experience is intensive and requires mature individuals who are able to work independently as well as in a team. The successful individuals will be required to balance day to day duties and responsibilities in CeSTII and the HSRC with PhD related work and complete their thesis within 3 years for Doctoral research trainees. Time is set aside for this purpose.
Key responsibilities will include:
• Working as required on all aspects of the national R&D survey, Innovation survey, Intellectual Property and technology Transfer survey and other projects, and analysis of resultant survey and other data;
• Writing reports from survey work and other projects;
• Making demonstrable progress towards the achievement of a Doctoral degree;
• Producing peer reviewed research articles that appear in ISI listed journals;
• Writing up research results for workshops/conferences/presentations and high quality research reports;
• Drafting proposals for funding applications;
• Developing own personal academic competencies through formal and informal training activities;
• Compilation of all specific duties and deliverables assigned in an individual performance based contract.
Key requirements:
• Applicants must be in possession of a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) and registered for, or about to register for, a PhD with a registered South African University;
• Experience in and understanding of the concepts of the National System of Innovation will be an added advantage;
• A sound academic record;
• Two – three years’ experience in the preparation of research reports and manuscripts for publication, whilst having peer reviewed articles in recognized journals will be advantageous;
• Experience in communicating survey findings at conferences;
• Curiosity, enthusiasm and interest in a research career that includes working with statistics and data analysis;
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment, good communication and leadership skills are required;
• Proficiency in or working experience with some or all of the following programmes: MS Access, Excel, Word, SPSS, STATA;
• Sound knowledge of data management and data analysis or statistical skills will be advantageous.
The HSRC offers attractive, markpphdet-related packages depending on qualifications and experience.
Applications: In your application, please include 1)a letter of motivation indicating the position you are applying for, 2)your CV, 3) a copy of current earnings on a cost-to-company basis if applicable 4) a one-page outline of your PhD thesis or proposed PhD thesis, 5)a copy of your academic transcripts as well as 6)the names of three contactable referees (with telephone, fax and e-mail contact details).
Ensure that you indicate the reference number for the position you are applying for.
The HSRC will only consider applications that include the above requirements. Applicants may be required to undertake a written exercise in the competencies required for the position.
Please submit your application via email to: recruitment@hsrc.ac.za indicating the reference number in the subject line or to the HR Generalist, Private Bag X9182, Cape Town or hand deliver it to the HSRC, Merchant House, 116 – 118 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town.
Enquiries and not applications may be directed to Dr Nazeem Mustapha via email at nmustapha@hsrc.ac.za.
The HSRC is committed to accelerating the improvement in the proportion of its South African senior managers, research leaders and support staff who are black, female or disabled.
Closing date: 16 March 2024. We encourage applicants to submit prior to that date. Applicants who have not been contacted within eight weeks should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
Only applicants who are interviewed will be advised of the outcome of their applications. The HSRC reserves the right to not make an appointment.
APPLICATIONS FROM RECRUITMENT AGENCIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.